Alter Ego (#1)

Sometimes I daydream about living as my alter-ego, the all around creative, instrument playing, elegant, tasteful young adult taking the world on, one creation at a time. Not famous, but occasionally getting attention for a piece of prose, a candid photo, an impromptu jam session. Aesthetically pleasing to look at, with simplistic tattoos peeking out of sleeves and corners, hair swept up in a bun with a chopstick or let down and flowing like a beach babe, clothes are always simple but well put together, sporting bold statement pieces Looked up to as a curator of beautiful things, from a modern jazz album infused with R&B elements, art pieces that are simple but speak loud messages, unheard of English satire comedy shows that people end up loving. Working as a songwriter and editor, with productions in photography and art exhibitions. Usually found lurking in quiet but colorful street corners in different cities, slumped over a thick book with a coffee in hand and a cigarette break for a breather. Occasionally seen in back rows of random indie band concerts, bobbing to the beat of the drums and lulled by the voice of the main vocal. And if the summer is the right kind, maybe in an outdoor party dancing to the rhythm of the liveliest electronic beats. A person that doesn’t live just to exist, but one who is embracing the whole experience.

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——I wrote this in a poetic bubble, with hopes and dreams for my imaginary self, and now I know better than ever, that our limitations are more often than not, ourselves, our own mind. An ode to all our ideal versions of ourselves, and a call of action to our complacent realities. 14:26 06/10/2020 final note for an earlier piece. #1 of what is hopefully a year’s worth of pieces xxLovely

Oceans Apart

On the surface we see the glamour, the thousand dollar workout attire, the smiles with the loud cheery chatter, the brunch photos, the night outs with overflowing drinks.

The handbags, the suits, the intimidating heels, the fancy accessories that look so elegant but would probably look over the top of you wore it, if you could ever afford it.

The long afternoons lounging at a cafe, a yacht party or at a seaside hotel’s restaurant sipping tea and getting massages.

From the outside we see the summer trips to Europe, the exotic adventures to a third world country or the quick weekend getaway to Japan for some light shopping.

From afar we see the kids going to school learning to debate, to grow, to have fun. Then growing into young adults flown halfway across the world to pursue their dreams, whether in fashion, film, photography, acting or software development.

From the distance we see them coming back, working in high rise buildings, living in suburbs, driving electric cars, and even having ample time off to spend with their loved ones.

We look from a distance because we seem so far apart, but are we not just six degrees apart? Did your friend not go to the same church as them, do you not go to the gym they go to? Have you not met them on a night out, dated one of their friends or even worked with their company?

Six degrees apart, but the distance you feel between seems oceans apart.

So you travel to another country, you frequent the brunch spots, you find a high-paying job, you buy the clothes and you down the drinks.

But you still feel distant. You still feel like you’re standing at the opposite side from the glowing shore with the waves lapping at your feet. Maybe because the distance was never between you and them, but between the wound of the gaping hole in your heart, or the distance between your lips when you are busy staring in disbelief rather than living your life.

Six degrees, or an ocean. Te toca bebé./Your call.

My Internet Favourites: (Podcasts & Instagram)

Just like the way I order the same few things after contemplating for ages in a restaurant, the abundance of choices in the internet somehow always leaves me coming back to these few favourite content creators:

Podcasts:

Sh*t They Don't Tell You by Nikki Limo and Steve Greene

A podcast hosted by a comedian couple, in which they give advice, tell you things they wish they were taught when they were growing up and make jokes that sometimes you have to double check with your brain if it's a bit or it's real. From finance ( Steve is very into Bitcoin), sex, jobs, creativity, self-hate, relationships and Eminem, everything you wish you knew more about, all in one pod. My personal favourites are the ones where they give advice to people who send in their life problems, in which they usually end up suggesting them to a) break up or b) join an improv class. All in all I think they give pretty heartfelt advice, taken from their past experiences or their daily struggles. If you're looking for someone to tell you whether you should stay in your current relationship or what you should do with your life

Big Mood

Sometimes you miss your girlfriends, or you don't have a group of girlfriends whom you can bounce ideas off of, or you just don't have friends. And you want to hear a group of girls with good chemistry talk about life? Well then, this is the right group of girls to listen to, they come from different backgrounds (both ethnically and up-bringing), have different personalities, and are damn pretty. From sex fantasies to insecurities to relationships with family members, they cover it all. Formerly Hey B*tch, the Big mood podcast gives you the banter you needed from the fun/crazy/wise older sister that you never had.

Part-Time Genius

If you're less into conversations and life skills (WHY) and more into facts, this is a great podcast to listen to, you learn random facts that are likely never gonna use or some that might be incredibly useful in your life. From how some businesses work to why people love certain animals so much, these random facts can fill up your ears up for just roughly half an hour and keep you away from what your mind tells you to think.

Instagram:

Sometimes the lives of our friends or our friend's friend's aren't the only things you want to fill your feed with, I feel you, I totally do, and apart from stalking the hotties from the last few Netflix shows you watched (or is that just me), there are still some people that are worth following, and having them appear and bless your feed just makes your day feel a little better (especially when certain people won't stop posting their negative vibes). I've thrown in a couple of talented friends's accounts, because they never fail to inspire me creatively.

Jemimah James Wei

@jemmawei

This Singaporean writer, host and internet personality is always here to share quirky life updates, book recommendations and food porn. Her relationship with her fiance is also a fun one to keep up with, with their witty conversations and creative energy.

Danika Nemis

@danikanemis

A model, a mom, and a beach lover based in La Union in the Philippines is definitely the definition of good vibes. Her never ending photos of the beach, tropical fruits and her sage burning energy fills your feed with good vibes and smiles.

Jenn Chia

@soimjenn

Jenn is a Malaysian digital creator that brings so much positive energy in each of her posts, from hilarious short skits that may or may not be ads, to aesthetic shots of her at cafes, to her Weekends with Jenn lifestyle series, you can always count on her content to make you laugh.

Megan Fay

@meganfayy

Previously a model that posts derpy pictures of herself, now a grade school teacher that posts derpy photos of herself. Came across her on American apparel's Instagram(and well that happened) and stayed for the vibes. It's always uplifting to see a pretty face do silly things, so you know they're not so different from us after all.

Megan Batoon

@meganbatoon

I would like to assume everyone who I know, knows who Megan is. But if you don't, have you been living under a rock? She's a dancer, a DIY queen, I dare say a comedian, and a fellow half-filipino. She's pretty, she's talented, she has great vibes, what more do you need?

Julia Dang

@juliaadang

I might be wrong but she's a Vietnamese fashion diva based in Sweden and has an upcoming clothing line. Stumbled across her when someone else I follow, who also has really good fashion sense shared her posts. She is the fashion inspiration that you didn't know you needed.

We're not really strangers

@werenotreallystrangers

Ran by the creator of the We're not really strangers card game, this account serves you quotes and reminders photoshopped onto public spaces looking like they belong there and always have been there. We're not really strangers pops up and gives you little gems of quotes of things that you didn't know you needed to be reminded of.

Danny Casale

@coolman_coffeedan

A cool animator that makes simplistic, funny but sometimes in the feels short animations that makes your heart warm and makes you wanna spread the stupid warmness with your friends.

Strange Planet

@nathanwpylestrangeplanet

This creator posts his creation of his cute alien beings cartoons living daily life, inspired by his wife and their daily life. With huge eyes and relatable content, the beings will catch your attention leaving you feeling p l e a s a n t.

Angel Arlene @angelarlene_ If you're into make up, she's the person to follow, honestly if I had her make up skills I'd be Asian Baby Girl every day. From every day looks, to looks with more of an artistic twist and of course everything else aesthetic (mostly on her stories though).

Ysabel

@yysabbell If you like art, my friend IS ART— I mean she makes damn good illustrations and well to be honest her heart of gold is also art. If you're looking to bless your feed with gorgeous digital illustrations of artists or tv show characters, she's the one to follow.

Crystal

@laetbloomer

Another illustrator friend that I'm lucky enough to be introduced to, with her quirky illustrations that range from food, make up and artistic faces is definitely one to keep an eye on.